§ 202b - State comprehensive energy plan - Vermont Statutes

§ 202b. State comprehensive energy plan

(a) The department of public service, in conjunction with other state agencies designated by the governor, shall prepare a comprehensive state energy plan covering at least a 20-year period. The plan shall seek to implement the state energy policy set forth in section 202a of this title. The plan shall include:

(1) A comprehensive analysis and projections regarding the use, cost, supply and environmental effects of all forms of energy resources used within Vermont.

(2) Recommendations for state implementation actions, regulation, legislation, and other public and private action to carry out the comprehensive energy plan.

(b) In developing or updating the plan's recommendations, the department of public service shall seek public comment by holding public hearings in at least five different geographic regions of the state on at least three different dates, and by providing notice through publication once a week and at least seven days apart for two or more successive weeks in a newspaper or newspapers of general circulation in the regions where the hearings will be held, and by delivering notices to all licensed commercial radio and television stations with transmitting facilities within the state, plus Vermont Public Radio and Vermont Educational Television.

(c) The department shall adopt a state energy plan by no later than January 1, 1994. Upon adoption of the plan, analytical portions of the plan may be updated annually. The plan's implementation recommendations shall be updated by the department no less frequently than every five years. These recommendations shall be updated prior to the expiration of five years if the general assembly passes a joint resolution making a request to that effect. If the department proposes or the general assembly requests the revision of implementation recommendations, the department shall hold public hearings on the proposed revisions.

(d) Any distribution of the plan to members of the general assembly shall be in accordance with the provisions of 2 V.S.A. § 20. (Added 1981, No. 236 (Adj. Sess.), § 5; amended 1991, No. 259 (Adj. Sess.), § 2.)